THE E.H.S. BANQUET TO FOKEIGN HOETICULTUEISTS. cvii 



tions. In proposing the toast of the Eoyal Horticultural Society I 

 couple with it the name of Sir Jeremiah Oolman, Bart. 



Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart., replying, said: Mr. President, your 

 Highness, your Excellency, my Lords and Gentlemen, — When I 

 glance around and see the many distinguished members of the Eoyal 

 Horticultural Society I am filled with amazement that the Council 

 should have invited me to reply on behalf of the thirteen thousand 

 members of that popular and noble Society. To mention only two, the 

 EngHshman next on my right, Sir George Holford, is a gentleman whom 

 you would like to have seen associated with this toast. We all 

 know, however, that he is modest enough not to desire to be asked to 

 make a speech, and doubtless the members of the Council were well 

 aware that he would do sufficient to uphold the honours of the Society 

 without being called upon to address you to-night. Most nobly has 

 he performed his part in winning the most coveted trophy of the 

 Exhibition — the King's Cup. Immediately on my left is a gentleman. 

 Baron Bmno Schroder, who in this Horticultural Hall you would 

 desire to have associated with this toast, because there is no 

 one to whom we owe the possession of this hall more than to the 

 late Baron Schroder. His successor. Baron Bruno, during the course 

 of the dinner, has expressed his surprise that the Council have 

 been able to provide such a good banquet. I expressed the view that 

 his uncle was a far-seeing man, and that he foresaw the probability of 

 entertaining the foreign and colonial visitors in such a hall and after 

 such an exhibition, and had seen that ample kitchen accommodation 

 was provided. Is it possible that he also, in the interests of our 

 guests, took care that the acoustic properties of the hall should be of 

 a character which rendered lengthy speeches useless? I should have 

 liked to have dwelt upon the strenuous activities of the gentlemen 

 around me in the interests of this Society, which is accomplishing a 

 great and desirable work in encouraging and giving facilities for the 

 indulgence of a science which Lord Bacon has described as the purest 

 of human pleasures, and which appeals to our highest senses of taste, 

 smell, and sight, and which affords enjoyment and relaxation to 

 members of every class ; also I should have liked to have spoken of the 

 late Baron Schroder. We are all very sorry he is not still with us, 

 because nothing would have pleased him better than to have seen 

 so many different nations represented here. Speaking as Treasurer 

 of the Eoyal International Horticultural Exhibition, I should like 

 to emphasize the fact that it has been our great desire to show 

 friendship to our guests who have come over to this country. We 

 ; feel greatly indebted to them for having given up time to come over, 

 j I can assure them we are very highly appreciative of their presence, 

 I and that we wish to give them a most hearty welcome. Mr. President 

 ji and Gentlemen, I will say no more, as time is rapidly passing, and 

 j after all I have only two themes — one is that of thanks to those who 

 i are present, and the other is thanks to the proposer for the way in 



